From Positivism to Phenomenology: Letting Go of Certainty with Jade Sampford

What happens when the numbers are no longer enough?In this episode of The Phenomenology Collective, we explore the philosophical shift from positivism to phenomenology—a transition many researchers make when they realise that measurement alone cannot capture the fullness of human experience.Moving from certainty, objectivity, and clear answers into a world of ambiguity, interpretation, and multiple meanings can feel disorientating. But it can also open up entirely new ways of understanding.We’re joined by Jade Sampford, a clinical specialist physiotherapist and doctoral researcher, who shares her journey from evidence-based clinical practice into interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Through her work exploring the lived experience of weight loss medication, Jade highlights how the same “outcome” can mean something profoundly different for different people.In this episode, we explore:The differences between positivist and interpretivist paradigmsWhy lived experience cannot always be measured or quantifiedThe discomfort—and possibility—of leaving behind “right answers”How phenomenology reveals nuance, meaning, and contradictionThe role of reflexivity in challenging our assumptionsBringing phenomenological insights into practice-driven fields like healthcare and educationWe also reflect on how this shift is not about rejecting positivism, but expanding our understanding—seeing paradigms not as opposites, but as companions offering different pieces of the puzzle.Whether you’re a practitioner, researcher, or simply curious about how we come to understand the world, this episode invites you to slow down, notice more, and embrace the richness of not knowing.